Israeli Supreme Court Demands New State Comptroller Election

Israel's Supreme Court is insisting on a new election for the State Comptroller, with the Knesset's Legal Advisor Sagit Afik informing the court that Speaker Amir Ohana has a legal obligation to hold the vote as soon as possible, ideally before the upcoming general elections. The Supreme Court had previously ruled unanimously that the coalition had violated the secret ballot procedure during the last election, deeming the second round of voting significantly flawed and requiring a repeat.

Afik stated she had sent two official letters to Ohana, in July and September, emphasizing his duty to set a new election date. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ruling coalition have reportedly decided against holding a new election. This decision is attributed to the coalition no longer having a guaranteed majority to support their candidate, the Prime Minister's long-time lawyer Michael Rabello.

In response, Ohana, representing the Likud party, publicly declared his refusal to comply with the court's decision and set an election date. The situation was further complicated when public activist Yaron Gadot filed a petition with the Supreme Court in September, demanding that the Speaker be compelled to schedule the vote.

The absence of a functioning State Comptroller has led to the paralysis of key oversight mechanisms. For instance, in August, ten civil servants were denied protection under the whistleblower law after reporting corruption in government ministries, as only the active State Comptroller can grant such protection.